This is part 2 of the Hovetcleet Challenge, and my entry in the Historical Sew Fortnightly’s 2nd challenge: Innovation. Part 1: Hovetcleets and Oorijzers covers the history of this piece of headwear and some of my theories and assumptions on its construction. This post is about testing some of those theories.
Part 3 will be a longer research paper, with lots of images.
Version 1
I made version 1 in 2004, to go with my first square-necked gown. This is a very early style, similar to the two images above.
It was made of a heavy, opaque linen with a wired front over a long truncated hennin. I loved at the time (and wish I still had it) but I also know it can be improved. The wired front in particular is incorrect as it created concave gaps behind the wire rather than the flat line that is seen in the images.
There’s a more extensive discussion of this version, including photos of the inside of the hovetcleet in my (forthcoming) research paper.
Version 2
The Plan
After looking at lots of portraits and doing some research into material culture, I wanted to build Mark II do the following:
- Build a shorter hennin, or a small cap OR
- Use a white headband and a fake bun and plaits combo
- Use a lighter-weight linen for the veil
- See if I can create the heart-shape through starching
- Make ooijsters to get the sharp points at the cheeks
- Play with folding the back of the veil to achieve a variety of styles
What I accomplished
Starch creates heart- shape: CHECK!
Light weight veil, band and fake bun work really well to give the correct shape: CHECK!
I started to make some oorijzers, but realised l didn’t need them with this starching method. I’ll be building Mark III to play with this item later this year. I also need to nail the folds in the back of the veil. Perhaps in time for Rowany Festival. Still, this drape looks very pretty.
Just the facts
The Challenge: #2 Innovation
What’s the innovation? Structured white headwear that is a break from previous draped veils and caps. By the 1550s this item becomes the structured and decorated attifet and eventually becomes part of the highly varied Dutch folk costumes of the 1700s +1800s. – interesting article link here, and/or photo montage-
Fabric: White linen, medium weave
Pattern: None – it’s a rectangle and a headband
Year: Worn 1490-1540. This version closest to the style of the 1520s
Notions: Pins, hook and bar. Does a fake bun count as a notion?
How historically accurate is it? This is a working theory, so it’s difficult to tell, but I think I’m most of the way there. Could be improved with a better headband (making sure it doesn’t slide off my head), and proper folds in the back of the veil.
Hours to complete: I stopped counting, probably around 4-5. Most of this time was taken up with hemming and using a pulled thread method to ensure my veil was square to the warp and weft of the linen fabric before I cut it.
First worn: For this photo shoot. First formal wear will probably be for an event in March.
Total cost: ~$45AUD. Linen at $22AUD a metre, but this is less than a metre. A few cents for the cotton tape, and for the hook and bar. $25AUD for the fake bun.
Construction notes below the jump
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